WWE Network

The SmarK Rant for WWE Network Hidden Gems–Andre Edition (05.16.19)

The SmarK Rant for WWE Network Hidden Gems – Andre the Giant Edition (05.16.19)

With the addition of the Andre documentary to the WWE Network, they decided to celebrate with some Andre matches we’ve never seen before! It’s kind of amazing that Verne Gagne’s tape library is proving to be more valuable after the company is gone than it was when the AWA was around.

Read moreThe SmarK Rant for WWE Network Hidden Gems–Andre Edition (05.16.19)

The SmarK Rant for Holy Grail: The Search for WWE’s Most Infamous Lost Match

The SmarK Rant for WWE Network Presents: Holy Grail: The Search For WWE’s Most Infamous Lost Match

OH MAN.  IT’S FINALLY HAPPENING.   I feel like I shouldn’t even watch this because it’ll just ruin the legend forever. But of course, I must.

Read moreThe SmarK Rant for Holy Grail: The Search for WWE’s Most Infamous Lost Match

The SmarK Rant for WWE Network Hidden Gems–05.09.19

The SmarK Rant for WWE Network Hidden Gems – The Dark Side of the Ring Edition

So yeah, the WWE Network continues trying to cash in on the zeitgeist with three new additions, featuring matches associated with the Dark Side of the Ring series. Which doesn’t air here in Canada, by the way.

Read moreThe SmarK Rant for WWE Network Hidden Gems–05.09.19

The SmarK Rant for WWE Network Hidden Gems–05.02.19

The SmarK Rant for WWE Network Hidden Gems – Pro Wrestling USA 08.16.85

So yeah, I guess part of the Gagne collection of tapes was an episode of this wackiness, which was the AWA and NWA teaming up to put Vince out of business for good! That didn’t go well for them, but it was certainly a valiant effort. Unfortunately much of the partnership was spent with David Crockett running around behind the scenes making offers to the AWA talent to jump ship, and as Vince himself noted on the AWA DVD years ago, they could barely agree on what to order when they went for coffee together. So running a major opposition promotion was likely asking too much.

Read moreThe SmarK Rant for WWE Network Hidden Gems–05.02.19

The SmarK Rant for the Shield’s Final Chapter–04.21.19

The SmarK Rant for the Shield’s Final Chapter – 04.21.19

I feel like this is about as final of a chapter as Friday the 13th the Final Chapter or Saw the Final Chapter. But whatever, content is content and I like having random wacky stuff like this pop up on the Network.

Live from Moline, IL

Your hosts are Michael Cole, Renee Young & Corey Graves

Read moreThe SmarK Rant for the Shield’s Final Chapter–04.21.19

Shield’s Final Chapter

Shield’s Final Chapter
Date: April 21, 2019
Location: Taxslayer Center, Moline, Illinois
Commentators: Renee Young, Corey Graves, Michael Cole

Welcome to your weekly “WWE must have fresh content” show as we get a special look in at a house show where the Shield is teaming together for THE LAST TIME EVER WE PROMISE AND WE’RE NOT CHANGING IT AGAIN FOR REAL THIS TIME. This would be at least the third farewell moment for the team, but this time it’s televised. Oh and we get an Intercontinental Title match for a bonus. Let’s get to it.

Read moreShield’s Final Chapter

The SmarK Rant for WWE Network Hidden Gems–NWA Championship Wrestling 08.12.78

The SmarK Rant for WWE Network Hidden Gems – Leroy’s Lasting Legacy

OK, so here’s your crazy content drop of the day: A lost episode of Leroy McGuirk’s NWA Championship Wrestling show from 08.12.78, which was the precursor to Mid-South Wrestling before the relationship between Bill Watts and Leroy went horribly, horribly bad for Leroy.

Read moreThe SmarK Rant for WWE Network Hidden Gems–NWA Championship Wrestling 08.12.78

The SmarK Rant for Worlds Collide–When Cruiserweights Collide (04.17.19)

The SmarK Rant for Worlds Collide – When Cruiserweights Collide! (04.17.19)

Anyone else have a Simpsons flashback when reading that title?

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So this is part two of the series of shows taped in Brooklyn for Fan Axxess. This show’s theme is pretty easy to figure out, I’m pretty sure!

Brought to you by…

30% Off Orders of $30+ at shop.wwe.com. Valid 4.18.19 through 11:59 PM PST.

Read moreThe SmarK Rant for Worlds Collide–When Cruiserweights Collide (04.17.19)

TJR Retro: WWF Raw Deal 05/01/00 Review (Rock vs. Shane for WWF Title)

The big news coming out of Backlash one night earlier was that The Rock became the WWF Champion for the fourth time when he defeated Triple H in a thrilling main event match. Rock didn’t do it alone because he got some help from Steve Austin, who saved Rock from Triple H and the McMahon family making things difficult. It was one of the most thrilling main event matches ever. The Rock’s feud with Triple H continued as they headed into the month of May on the road to Judgment Day, which was three weeks away.

The synopsis for this episode on WWE Network is: “The Rock defends his WWE Championship against Shane McMahon in a Steel Cage main event. Plus, Chris Jericho, Triple H, and more!”

Read moreTJR Retro: WWF Raw Deal 05/01/00 Review (Rock vs. Shane for WWF Title)

The SmarK Rant for WWE Network Hidden Gems–03.28.19

The SmarK Rant for WWE Network Hidden Gems – 03.28.19

It’s a whole BUTTLOAD of Hall of Fame related gems this week. Too bad, I was really digging the March to Wrestlemania theme thus far.

WWE.com also has new merch up to commemorate the Hall of Fame inductees, including new Hart Foundation shirts that are pretty cool.

Welcome to the Hall of Fame! Honor this year’s inductees with commemorative T-shirts! Featuring the Hart Foundation!

 

Read moreThe SmarK Rant for WWE Network Hidden Gems–03.28.19

TJR Retro: WWF Backlash 2000 Review (The Rock vs. Triple H)

It’s time for WWF Backlash 2000. This is the pay-per-view that followed WrestleMania 2000 when Triple H retained the WWE Title thanks to Vince McMahon turning heel on The Rock to side with Triple H. Shane McMahon is the referee of the main event while Steve Austin (who had been out since November 1999 due to the neck injury that required surgery) is in The Rock’s corner and Vince McMahon is in Triple H’s corner. Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley was with Triple H as the storyline wife, so Hunter had the support of three McMahons. We didn’t know if Rock could trust Austin, so that was the big storyline going into the show.

Read moreTJR Retro: WWF Backlash 2000 Review (The Rock vs. Triple H)

The SmarK Rant for WWE Network Hidden Gems–March to Wrestlemania X! (03.13.94)

The SmarK Rant for WWE Network Hidden Gems – March to Wrestlemania X (03.13.94)

Well this is an unsurprising addition to the Hidden Gems this week. Not sure why they don’t just dump them all at once, but I guess you gotta make people want it.

Taped from whatever shithole was hosting Wrestling Challenge. It was apparently Locksheldreke, NY, before a giant crowd of 1600 people according to the History of WWE site, taped THREE WEEKS beforehand. Jesus.  I’m sure I probably spelled that name wrong and offended some New Yorkers, GOD FORBID, but that’s what the site said.

Your hosts are Vince McMahon & Johnny Polo. This should be interesting.  Also Gorilla and Stan Lane do other segments, which is not interesting.

Read moreThe SmarK Rant for WWE Network Hidden Gems–March to Wrestlemania X! (03.13.94)

The SmarK Rant for WWE Network Hidden Gems– The March to Wrestlemania IX (03.28.93)

The SmarK Rant for WWE Network Hidden Gems – The March to Wrestlemania IX (03.28.93)

I was wondering when they’d start adding these to the Network!

Taped on the USA Network from wherever the Superstars and Challenge tapings were that week.

Your hosts are Vince McMahon & Bobby Heenan

Read moreThe SmarK Rant for WWE Network Hidden Gems– The March to Wrestlemania IX (03.28.93)

The SmarK Rant for WWE Network Hidden Gems–02.21.19

The SmarK Rant for WWE Network Hidden Gems – 02.21.19

Black History Month continues with some REALLY hidden gems! They’re digging deep into the vault and I love it!

I also picked up the new Tim Hornbaker book about the death of the territories and I’m looking forward to giving that a read this weekend.

Read moreThe SmarK Rant for WWE Network Hidden Gems–02.21.19